Cubs closer Pedro Strop out for rest of the regular season with moderate left hamstring strain

Phil RogersChicago Tribune

The news on Pedro Strop was bad, and the Cubs have no sign the cavalry is coming.

Strop, diagnosed with a moderate strain in his left hamstring after an MRI Friday, is out for the rest of the regular season and will be monitored to determine his postseason availability. That hurts a bullpen that already was missing closer Brandon Morrow but manager Joe Maddon downplays the possibility of a trade to add depth for the last 15 games.

Morrow, who has been out since July 15 with what has been called a biceps injury, will throw a simulated game Saturday but Maddon said Strop’s absence doesn’t alleviate the need for Morrow to work himself back slowly.

“When he comes back, how he feels is going to be the main contributor (to how he’s used),’’ Maddon said. “It’s hard to force him into a situation he’s not ready for.’’

Maddon said he will play matchups to determine who gets the chance in save situations. He pointed out he already was doing that to a degree, never having anointed Strop as closer. Justin Wilson and Jesse Chavez also had been used in save situations in September.

Maddon is under fire from fans for letting Strop hit for himself in the top of the 10th inning in Thursday’s 4-3 victory over the Nationals in a makeup game. He sees it as the type of criticism managers often face, based on the outcome more than the decision.

“There are so many different ways to look at it,’’ Maddon said. “You could cut it, slice it, it’s always going to be up to your personal beliefs and prejudices. … The vitriol really (comes) from the fact Stroppy got hurt more than anything. I felt that when I had to walk out, jog out, and saw he was hurt. That was a pretty bad feeling for me personally but the last thing I saw there was (an) injury.’’

Maddon said he left Strop in because he threw 21 pitches in the ninth, not more. He said he did not consider telling him not to swing when he batted with one out and the bases loaded.

“I have (done that before) but Stroppy can hit,’’ he said. “He hit a bullet at the third baseman there. That ball was well struck. He was doing fine until it was taking so long for the ball to get there that he thought he had a chance to beat it out. The competitive nature of the athlete took over.’’

Extra innings: Outfielders Kyle Schwarber (back) and Jason Heyward (hamstring) went through early workouts but neither was available Friday. Schwarber could play over the weekend and Maddon said Heyward could be back at some point next week. … Anthony Rizzo says the Cubs appreciated Chicago allowing the team to move Friday’s game from 1:20 p.m. to 7:05. “It was nice that the city allowed us to sleep in, to re-energize ourselves a little bit,’’ he said.